Mercian Magic

Discover the hidden heart of the country by exploring the Severn Valley as you’ve never seen it before.

Walkers and cyclists can now enjoy some of Shropshire’s most spectacular scenery by travelling this newly-opened section of the National Cycle Network’s Mercian Way. Running from the ancient Wyre Forest near Bewdley through the award-winning Severn Valley Country Park at Alveley, the route not only covers quiet rural lanes, it includes miles of off-road tracks that take the visitor into a lost world of unspoilt riverside, woods and meadows, far from main roads and the frenetic pace of everyday life.

The Highley section is particularly appealing, offering a unique opportunity to walk or cycle alongside the majestic vintage steam trains of the Severn Valley Railway in a safe, family-friendly, traffic-free environment.

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45There are plenty of country pubs and village shops providing food and drink along the way, and plenty of family friendly attractions including Arley Arboretum, one of the oldest in the country. Then there’s Highley’s Sculpture and History Trails and Chelmarsh Reservoir with its

colourful sailing dinghies and abundant bird life. Marvel at spectacular Daniel’s Mill, still powered by its massive iron water-wheel, and taste all the delights of beautiful Bridgnorth, including the famous Victorian Cliff Railway.

And why is it called the Mercian Way?

From the Wyre Forest to Chester the route runs through the former ancient Kingdom of Mercia, once ruled by the powerful Offa, the first man to claim the title of King of England. To commemorate the route’s links with the region’s turbulent past, special cast-iron waymarkers have been commissioned in the form of Anglo-Saxon warriors. Set up at strategic points along the trail, the soldiers will be on duty all year round to ensure that travellers can easily get their bearings.

Wyre Forest to BridgnorthDiscover ancient woodland, peaceful river valley scenery and the renowned Severn Valley Railway as you cycle or walk through South East Shropshire

Chester

Whitchurch

Shrewsbury

Ironbridge

Bridgnorth

Bewdley

Worcester

Gloucester

Cirencester

Swindon

Marlborough

Stonehenge

Salisbury

45Route 45 National Cycle Network A 200 mile heritage trail

Cheshire West and Chester Council% 0300 123 81 23www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk

Cheshire East Council% 0300 123 55 00www.cheshireeast.gov.uk

ShropshireCouncil% 01743 253008 www.travelshropshire.co.uk

Telford & Wrekin Council% 01952 380000 www.telford.gov.uk

THIS LEAFLET

Worcestershire County Council% 01906 765765www.worcestershire.gov.uk/cms/cycling.aspx

Gloucestershire County Council% 01452 425000www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/cycling

Wiltshire Council% 01225 713404www.wiltshire.gov.uk

AttractionsDaniels Mill 01746 762753Dudmaston Hall 01746 780866Severn Valley Country Park 01746 781192 Severn Centre 01746 860000 Rays Farm 01299 841255Bodenham Arboretum 01562 852444Arley Arboretum 01299 861368 Wyre Forest Visitor Centre 01299 266302 Severn Valley Railway 01299 403816Cliff Railway, Bridgnorth 01746 762052Engine House, Highley 01746 862387 Tourist Information CentresBewdley 01299 404740Bridgnorth 01746 763257www.shropshiretourism.info

Cycling ContactsPaul’s Pedals - Bridgnorth 01746 768792Clee Cycles – Ditton Priors 01746 712882Bicycle by Design* - Jackfield 01952 459900 Bicycle Repair Services* - Broseley 07539 268741(mobile bike mechanic)Halfords - Kidderminster 01562 861993Smiths Cycles - Kidderminster 01562 823721Bewdley Outdoors - Bewdley 01299 405382Cyclists’ Touring Club (CTC) 0844 736 8450Sustrans 0845 113 0065*Accepts Cycle Shropshire Discount CardPublic transport enquiries

www.travelshropshire.co.uk Traveline 0871 200 22 33 National Rail Enquiries 08457 48 49 50 www.nationalrail.co.uk

Follow @ShropTravel on Twitter

Leaflet Ref. No: NCN1F/November 2013

©Rosemary Winnall

©Rosemary Winnall

Discover Shropshire by bikeIt’s great to get out and about on a bike in Shropshire. Discover hundreds of miles of National Cycle Network routes along quiet lanes, explore traffic-free trails along old railways and waterways, follow the cycle rides from historic towns and get muddy on mountain bike tracks in woods and forests.

The Jack Mytton Way (bridleway) travels through nearly 100 miles of Shropshire’s most beautiful and unspoilt countryside. There is also a series of 10 circular rides around the Long Mynd and Wenlock Edge.

www.travelshropshire.co.ukShropshire Council 01743 253008

National Cycle NetworkThis route is part of the National Cycle Network, one of the award-winning projects coordinated

by the charity Sustrans. www.sustrans.org.uk

Sustrans 0845 113 0065

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Part funded by the Department for Transport

*Cycle Shropshire Discount CardVisit www.travelshropshire.co.uk/discount to sign up for the free Cycle Shropshire Discount Card and get a discount at a variety of cycling businesses across Shropshire and Telford and Wrekin.

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BridgeNo motorised vehicle access

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Engine House

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Code of Conductı Always follow the Highway codeı Be considerate to other users, and give way to pedestrians and horse ridersı Take particular care at junctions, when cycling downhill and on loose surfacesı Ride in single file on narrow or busy roadsı Consider wearing a helmet and high visibility clothingı Fit a bell and use it, don’t surprise peopleı Railways – only cross the railway line at permitted level crossings, obey the

safety warning signs and look and listen before crossingı Motorbikes are not permitted on the off-road pathsı Cars – if you need to bring your car, please park only in designated car parksı Horse-riders, for their own safety, are not permitted along the path adjacent to

the Severn Valley Railway

Cycle Shop/Cycle Hire

Campsite Attractions (see overleaf for details)

©Rosemary Winnall

© Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey 100049049You are not permitted to copy, sub-licence, distribute or sell any of this data to third parties in any form